FORUM: A chance to save open space in Carlsbad

If the Carlsbad City Council doesn't act soon, a brief opportunity to protect precious open space within the city will slip away. At risk is the 104 acre South Coast Quarry property in the Buena Vista Valley.

The property extends along both sides of Buena Vista Creek below El Salto Falls, the highest waterfall in coastal Southern California. It is an old sand and gravel operation. It is subject to an already approved reclamation plan, which requires the owners of the property ---- Hanson Aggregates ---- to restore Buena Vista Creek to a natural course within a protected buffer zone 150 feet wide on either side of the creek. No development is allowed within the buffer zone.

Once the quarry property has been restored to the requirements of the reclamation plan, the McMillan Land Development Company has a contract with Hanson to buy the property. The question now is what development ---- how much, what kind ---- Carlsbad City Council will allow on this land.

Like all California cities, Carlsbad is required by the state to provide affordable housing. Thus the City plans to shoehorn some 500 homes into the property. McMillan wants 656 housing units there; Carlsbad residents and voters want open space there.

Some housing on the old disturbed quarry site seems inevitable. What is at risk now is the so-called "Panhandle" ---- 60 undeveloped, natural acres on the south side of Buena Vista Creek, across the stream from the already protected, 134 acre Buena Vista Creek Ecological Reserve.

The Panhandle serves as an important wildlife corridor and buffer between the residential neighborhoods to the south and the stream-side habitat along Buena Vista Creek and the Ecological Reserve to the north. These lands are alive with Luiseno and Californio history; close by in the Valley is the only California rancho still in the hands of the original family.

Back in 2002 Carlsbad voters passed Measure C, allowing reserve funds to be spent on open space acquisition. In 2007 the City Council set aside $35 million. About $30 million has been spent on other projects; not one dime has been spent on open space acquisition.

In 2007 the City Council adopted the report of the Ad Hoc Citizens' Committee for Open Space. This identified and prioritized the key remaining in the City that should be acquired as open space. Number one on the list was Buena Vista Valley. Five years later the City Council has still taken no action.

On April 18, the Envision Carlsbad Citizens' Committee ---- a blue ribbon committee tasked by the City Council to map out Carlsbad's best future ---- approved saving the Panhandle as open space.

The necessary funds are available and authorized. Again and again Carlsbad residents and voters have ranked the acquisition of open land among their highest priorities. Today's slow economy and housing market provide an opportunity to purchase land at a reasonable price. Remaining undeveloped land with significant conservation value is scarce.